Cleaning Intex Ultra Frame Pool

[xceebeex]

I have a 9x18 Intex Ultra Frame pool and I am trying to figure out the best way to clean it. I also purchased one of those over the wall skimmers by Intex and I have had that installed as well every since setting up the pool but it doesn't get as much as I would like. I have a feeling that the pump that came with the pool is a little undersized and it creating enough suction. Anyway, I end up with a lot of the brown silt/sand at the bottom of the pool and I have been trying to just use a brush and push it towards the skimmer in hopes of it getting it, but doesn't seem to be working.

Does anyone have any suggestions on the best way to get it? I was looking at one of those cordless vacuums by Water Tech but reviews seem mixed. Also, should I upgrade the pump at some point or is the one that comes with it adequate?

Thanks!

EDIT: I just found a youtube video where if you duct tape the bottom of the bucket it will increase the suction so I just went out and did that with some Gorilla Tape and it did increase the suction quite a bit. So I can certainly see how that does over time, but I am still curious about a longer term solution.

 

[kimkats]

The longer term solution is getting some kind of vacuum to help you get that stuff up and out. Welllll that is after you get a good test kit to make sure your water is balanced. How have you been testing the water?

 

[Zrock]

Once dirt and leaves hit the bottom the skimmer is useless. I use a cordless vac for the bottom and it works good only thing i did was make the handle longer so i could reach the middle of the pool. The stock cartrage filter works for what it is and keeps the water moving and gets some of the dirt out.. i also use a over the wall skimmer and the same thing they work but not as well as a through the wall.. Taping up the bottom may give more flow through the top but if the water level ever drops to far you will run your pump dry. For that size of pool i personally would not upgrade the pump unless you plan on getting a larger pool at some point..

 

[xceebeex]

The longer term solution is getting some kind of vacuum to help you get that stuff up and out. Welllll that is after you get a good test kit to make sure your water is balanced. How have you been testing the water?

I have a pentair test kit for chlorine and pH level testing and it tests fine. The water looks good, it's just the stuff on the bottom.

The kids haven't used it in a while so stuff isn't getting stirred up either.

What cordless vacuum is recommended?

 

[kimkats]

Here is what I found when I put the words battery vacuum in our search box:

battery vacuum site:[url]www.troublefreepool.com - Google Search[/url]

I did not read any of them so don't know if any one of them stands out as best.

Kim

 

[DarrelB]

Using the battery vacuum will not help really with the dirt, etc on the floor. It goes into the catch net, then right out again. I have one for the last 4 years, works great for debris, leaves, etc, but not for dirt. Those fine particles go right through the catch net.
Best to vacuum to your filter at the least, it will then get caught by the filter.

Here is a list of the basics needed to vacuum. I used the Canadian site of Pool Supplies, but I am sure you can find the same things at the US site.

Weighted Half-Moon Vacuum Head With Swivel Adaptor | Pool Supplies Canada
8 to 16 ft Vacuum Pole | Pool Supplies Canada
24 ft Sunflex Vacuum Hose with 1.25 inch Opening | Pool Supplies Canada

 

[Tejasgirl]

I have an Intex sand pump/filter system and their vacuum that attaches to the outlet. It gets a lot of stuff off the bottom. The sand filter/pump is so much easier. It puts out a lot of power to move the vacuum around and skimmer works better getting big stuff off the top. Plus you only have to backwash the sand about once a week and a lot easier than dealing with those paper filters. I had my pool 3 years before the sand filter/pump and wish I had gotten it sooner.